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All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source. |
| SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY |
| REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: |
| Master of Laws |
| SAQA QUAL ID | QUALIFICATION TITLE | |||
| 9275 | Master of Laws | |||
| ORIGINATOR | ||||
| University of Witwatersrand | ||||
| PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY | NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK | |||
| CHE - Council on Higher Education | HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework | |||
| QUALIFICATION TYPE | FIELD | SUBFIELD | ||
| Master's Degree | Field 08 - Law, Military Science and Security | Justice in Society | ||
| ABET BAND | MINIMUM CREDITS | PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL | NQF LEVEL | QUAL CLASS |
| Undefined | 180 | Level 8 and above | NQF Level 09 | Regular-Provider-ELOAC |
| REGISTRATION STATUS | SAQA DECISION NUMBER | REGISTRATION START DATE | REGISTRATION END DATE | |
| Registered | EXCO 0733/25 | 2024-06-30 | 2027-06-30 | |
| LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT | LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT | |||
| 2028-06-30 | 2031-06-30 | |||
| In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise. |
This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification. |
| PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION |
| Purpose:
The purpose of the Master of Laws is to combine an advanced and specialist training in jurisprudence with research mastery, by dissertation or coursework and research report. The research component of the qualification benefits the learner by developing and reinforcing the learner's writing, research, and analytical skills. The qualification also provides international approaches and perspectives, where a comparative study of jurisdictions is incorporated into the qualification Graduates should be skilled in advanced research capabilities, academic writing, and discursive engagement with the law. The graduate should be able to understand and critique the law, rather than simply knowing what the law is. On completion, graduates will be able to: Rationale: The value added by this qualification to the qualifying candidate is thus the emphasis on further advancement and specialisation in their chosen profession. Benefit to society is provided through the training of individuals capable of holding high-level positions that require specialist knowledge and/or advanced skills in analytical and research competence. This should provide for increased social and economic productivity and for the transformation of society more broadly. The qualification is designed to benefit the learner by developing a deeper knowledge through specialisation in a particular field of law. The specialisation will enable the learner to have a deeper knowledge in the specialisation and enable the learner to take up high-level positions requiring specialist knowledge and /or requiring greater skill in analytic and research competence. The deeper knowledge and enhanced legal skills are often a prerequisite for positions in specialised law firms, commerce, the public sector, international agencies, and academia. For example, learners wishing to work at the Competition Commission or the South African Revenue Authority will benefit from an advanced degree in competition law or tax law. Through the specialisation, learners delve deeper into an area of academic interest, taking courses that provide an overview of a particular area of law that is sufficiently focused but also wide enough so that the learner can understand multiple aspects of their field. The qualification equips the candidate for employment in the following fields: The qualifying learners will be able to proceed with the Doctoral studies in Law. |
| LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING |
| Recognition of Prior Learning:
The institution has an approved Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy, which is applicable to equivalent qualifications for admission into the qualification. RPL will be applied to accommodate applicants who qualify. RPL thus provides alternative access and admission to qualifications, as well as advancement within qualifications. RPL may be applied for access, credits from modules, and credits or towards the qualification. RPL for access: RPL for exemption of modules: RPL for credit: Entry requirements: The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is: |
| RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? |
| Y |
| QUALIFICATION RULES |
| This qualification consists of the following compulsory and elective modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 9, totalling 190 - 200 Credits.
Master of Laws by Coursework The qualification may be pursued as a general LLM or may be taken in a specialist field. General LLM Compulsory Module, NQF Level 9, 60 Credits: Elective Modules, NQF Level 8, 60 Credits (Non-core), select two: Elective Modules, NQF Level 9, 70 Credits (Core), select two: A core module differs from a non-core module in that the inclusion in the module requirements for a core module of an additional research component. The research component of a core module must comprise at least 50% of the total year mark for the course. In addition to the four coursework courses, a candidate must complete the following requirements: Commercial and Business Law Compulsory Modules, NQF Level 9, 60 credits: Elective Modules, NQF Level 8 or 9, 130 Credits (Select four, two of which must be passed at core level and two at non-core level). Corporate Law: Compulsory Modules, NQF Level 9, 130 credits: Elective modules, NQF Level 8, 60 credits (select two modules at non-core level): Environmental Law: Compulsory Modules, NQF Level 9, 130 credits: Elective Modules, NQF Level 8, 60 credits, (select two modules at a non-core level): Human Rights Advocacy and Litigation,190 credits: Compulsory Modules, NQF Level 9, 95 credits: Elective modules, NQF Level 8 or 9, 95 Credits (select three, one of which must be passed at core level and two at non-core level): Information and Communications Law, 190 credits. Compulsory Module, NQF Level 9, 60 credits Elective Modules, NQF Level 8 or 9, 130 Credits (Select four, two of which must be passed at core level and two at non-core level): International Law, 190-200 Credits Compulsory Modules, NQF Level 9, 95 Credits Elective modules, NQF Level 8 or 9, 95 Credits (Select three, one of which must be passed at core level and two at non-core level ): International Economic Law Compulsory Modules, NQF Level 9, 130 Credits: Elective Modules, NQF Level 8, 60 credits, select two modules at a non-core level: Labour Law Compulsory Modules, NQF Level 9, 130 credits Elective Modules, NQF Level 8, 60 credits (Select two modules at a non-core level): Pensions Law, 190 Credits. Compulsory Modules, NQF Level 9, 130 credits Elective Modules, NQF Level 8, 60 credits (Select two modules at a non-core level): Tax Law Compulsory Modules, NQF Level 9, 190 - 200 credits. Elective Modules, NQF level 9, 60/70 Credits (Select two of which must be passed at the core level: Labour Dispute Resolution Practice Compulsory modules, NQF Level 9, 190 credits. |
| EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES |
| 1. Access and process information using advanced research technologies, databases, and digital legal resources.
2. Produce and communicate legal information appropriately. 3. Display theoretical awareness, critical analytic competence, and problem-solving skills within the disciplinary context 4. Demonstrate research competence and the ability to contribute to scholarly or professional debates. 5. Manage him/herself effectively and independently 6. Demonstrate social competence and responsibility for promoting justice, accountability, and societal well-being. 7. Demonstrate eco-systemic competence by understanding how legal issues are shaped by broader socio-economic, political, cultural, and global factors, and apply this awareness in legal analysis. |
| ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA |
| Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2: Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3: Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4: Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5: Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6: Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7: INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT On this qualification, formative assessment is used to monitor and support learners' progress towards achieving the learning outcomes, while summative assessment measures the extent to which learners have achieved the learning outcomes. Formative assessment is sometimes called "assessment for learning", while summative assessment is called "assessment of learning". Formative assessment (60%): In general, at least two formative assessments must be administered that count towards learners' continuous assessment marks and for which learners receive timeous feedback that contributes to their learning for each module, which may consist of essays, group discussions/class presentations, written assignments, and other formative tasks based on different modules. Summative assessment (40%): The production of a research report is a compulsory part of the curriculum for this degree. The assessment of this report provides a full indication of the candidate's abilities to find, use, and communicate information appropriately, displaying an appropriate level of social awareness and analytic competence within appropriate methodology constraints. The ability to produce such a report further provides evidence of the candidate's self-management skills and reflexive competence. For the other modules, summative assessment may take place through written examinations, projects, final assignments, and other ways of assessing at the end of a course or cumulatively. To promote, monitor, and measure learner learning throughout a course, no single assessment may count for more than 40% of the final mark unless there are special circumstances, in which case the permission of the Dean is required. Summative Assessment: LLM (by dissertation) The qualification is assessed entirely based on the submission by the candidate of a dissertation of between 35,000 and 50,000 words dealing with some branch of law or the history or philosophy of law, which must constitute both an application of the methods of research and a contribution to the advancement of knowledge in the subject chosen. This provides an integrated assessment of the candidate's abilities to find, use, and communicate information appropriate level of social awareness and analytic competence within appropriate methodological constraints. The ability to produce such a report further provides evidence of the candidate's self-management skills and reflexive competence. LLM (by coursework and research report) |
| INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY |
| The qualification is comparable to the following international qualifications:
LLM by Coursework and Research Report Country: United Kingdom Institution: Cambridge University Qualification: Master of Laws (LLM) Similarities: The Cambridge University (CU) and the South African (SA) qualifications are one year taught, full-time time and learners are required to take 4 courses. Differences: There is no separate research requirement, as research is integrated into each module in the CU qualification, while there is a Research Report in addition to the four taught modules. The admission requirement to CU qualification is a first-class pass in another law degree, while the entry requirement for the SA qualification is a Bachelor of Laws. Country: Australia Institution: Monash University Qualification: Master of Laws (LLM) Similarities: Both qualifications admission requirement is a Bachelor of Laws, and both are taught over one year. Differences: Full time duration is 2 years at Monash, 1 year for the SA qualification. A minimum of 10 (shorter) courses is completed at Monash, and only 4 (longer) courses are completed at the situation. The research/dissertation requirement is not clearly articulated in the Monash programme. LLM by Dissertation Country: United Kingdom Institution: University of Edinburgh Qualification: LLM by Research Similarities: The University of Edinburgh (UE) and the South African (SA) qualifications do not have formal coursework elements. Similar to the SA qualification, the minimum duration is one year for full-time leaners and two years for part-time learners. The final dissertation is examined by two examiners, an internal and external examiner at both institutions. Differences: Part of the entry requirements for the US qualification involves English language competency tests for international learners, regardless of nationality or country of residence. The same rule does not apply to international learners applying for enrolment into the LLM by Research programme. Country: Australia Institution: University of Sydney Qualification: Master of Laws (Research) Similarities: Similar to the South African (SA) qualification, the University of Sydney (US) qualification (Research) is up to two years full-time and four years part-time. The degree at the US qualification is awarded based on a supervised thesis of 50,000 words (maximum). Similarly, the SA qualification comprises a dissertation of between 35000 50 000 words. Differences: The US) qualification requires learners to undertake a compulsory research-support coursework unit, LAWS6077 Legal Research 1, within the first 12 months of their candidature. The SA qualification does not contain a compulsory coursework component. |
| ARTICULATION OPTIONS |
| This qualification allows possibilities for both horizontal and vertical articulation.
Horizontal Articulation: Vertical Articulation: Diagonal articulation: There is no diagonal articulation for this qualification |
| MODERATION OPTIONS |
| NA |
| CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS |
| N/A |
REREGISTRATION HISTORY |
| As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2006; 2009; 2012; 2015. |
| NOTES |
| N/A |
| LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: |
| NONE |
| PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: |
| This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here. |
| 1. | University of Witwatersrand |
| All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source. |